Is Oat Milk Good For Breastfeeding Moms? Find Out Now
It is an increasingly popular alternative to cow milk. It’s a great choice for people who want lactose-free, plant-based milk. The growing interest in oat milk and similar products may be explained by the new trend toward plant-based diets. You may have seen oat milk in the stores or even tried it out yourself recently.
But what health benefits does oat milk have? Is it really preferable to regular milk? How about breastfeeding? What effects does oat milk have on breastfeeding mothers? These questions and more will be explored in this article.
What is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is a popular alternative to dairy milk that is made from oats and water, and sometimes some added ingredients. It consists of steel-cut oats or whole groats that are soaked in water, blended, and then strained using a cheesecloth or a special nut milk bag. The liquid that results is what is known as oat milk.
Oat milk can be made at home, which is cheaper than the store-bought options. However, commercially available oat milk is usually fortified with added nutrients making it more nutritious than a homemade one.
Making your own oat milk also allows you to choose your preferred ingredients and avoid undesirable food additives and thickeners found in some commercial products. You can add a pinch of salt, a little vanilla or cinnamon extract, a few dates, maple syrup, or honey before blending the oats to enhance the flavor.
Nutritional Value of Oat Milk
One cup serving of oat milk contains 120 calories, 5 grams of total fat content, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of sugar.
Oat milk also contains 35% of the recommended daily allowance for calcium and 25 percent for vitamin D. Although it has less source of protein when compared to cow’s milk and soy milk, it is more protein-rich than other plant-based products such as almond, cashew, coconut, and rice.
Oat milk is high in fiber compared with dairy milk, almond, and soy milk. The fiber in oat milk is a type of soluble fiber that helps to lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. This helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Oat milk fiber can also help slow digestion and increase satiety. Oat milk is also higher in carbohydrates and calories than most other plant-based milk products, with almost 100 calories per serving. Commercially available oat milk may also have calcium and vitamin D added for bone health as well as vitamin A, riboflavin, potassium, and a source of iron.
Health Benefits of Oat Milk
A healthy non-dairy alternative for vegans
oat is a good choice for people with certain diet restrictions, as it is plant-based and lactose-free. So, it is ideal for vegans and people who are lactose-intolerant. It is also naturally gluten-free. However, if processed in the same factories as gluten-containing grains, this can contaminate them.
Promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails
oat milk is often enriched with B vitamins like riboflavin (B2) and vitamin B12. These vitamins are important for healthy hair, nails, and skin. They can also help alleviate stress and combat cell damage in the body.
Lowers cholesterol
oat milk is high in soluble fiber which can help lower the level of LDL cholesterol in the body. This type of cholesterol is associated with heart disease.
Bone health
Store-bought oat milk may be fortified with calcium and vitamin D which are essential for strong and healthy bones. Lack of vitamin D and calcium can lead to weak and brittle bones. Some brands of oat milk are also fortified with vitamin B12 which lowers the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that makes the bones weak.
Risks of Oat Milk
Some sweetened or flavored brands of oat milk may have high sugar content. Also, gluten in most kinds of oat milk can cause digestive problems for people with gluten-related disorders.
Oat milk, in general, is more expensive than dairy milk. Also, oat milk is not a suitable replacement for cow’s milk or breast milk for babies and young children. This is because oat milk lacks nutrients essential for optimal growth.
Effects of Oat Milk on Breastfeeding
Oat milk consumption by breastfeeding mothers can help increase their breast milk supply. In fact, many lactation consultants recommend oat products to women struggling with breast milk production issues.
The nutrients contained in oat milk can be beneficial to breastfeeding mothers in various ways. The calcium in oat milk can help with milk production and support bone health. Iron in oat milk can help new mothers combat anemia, give breastfeeding mothers a boost in energy and help replace blood lost during pregnancy and birth.
It can also help support the immune system and protect the body from disease, which is important immediately after delivery. The protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and phytochemicals in oat milk can all help improve the quality and quantity of milk produced by a nursing mother.
For people, including breastfeeding mothers who have certain food allergies and intolerances, oat milk can be a good choice. This is because it is free of lactose, nuts, and soy. It may also be suitable for those with gluten sensitivity or allergies if it is made from certified gluten-free oats.
Conclusion
Oat milk has many nutritional and health benefits, in addition to being a suitable dairy milk alternative for vegans and people who are lactose-intolerant. For breastfeeding mothers, oat milk presents a safe, healthy, and natural way to boost their milk supply.
It also improves the quality of breast milk flow or milk volume because of the nutrients it contains that can be passed on from mother to breastfed baby during breastfeeding.
However, mothers should be careful when choosing commercially available oat milk, as many brands have a high sugar content as well as artificial food additives that may be harmful.
References
https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/oat-milk-nutrition-dairy-free-milk